LAITY SUNDAY 2015 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
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LAITY SUNDAY 2015 Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) “This, then, is how you should pray: “„Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. “GiveGive usus thisthis dayday ourour dailydaily Bread…”Bread…” SolidSolid FoodFood For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. BitesBites fromfrom thethe BibleBible When it comes to the Bible, there is so much to marvel and to learn. There are miracles of many kinds that are per- said, (and he then goes on to quote the prophecy written by formed by Jesus and some by the apostles (when they be- Isaiah hundreds of years before) “These people will listen and lieved). We have heard stories; some we know well and listen, but never understand. They will look and look, but nev- others we only remember them as we were told as children. er see. All of them have stubborn minds! Their ears are So what does it all mean? Jesus knew, even then, that some stopped up, and their eyes are covered. They cannot see or would immediately understand the critical need to know hear or understand. If they could, they would turn to me, and I and others would ponder over parables. He expresses this would heal them.” The 2015 Laity is designed with the hopes in Matthew 13:13-15 (CEV) when He says: “I use stories of making each of us hungry for greater understanding. The when I speak to them because when they look, they cannot hope is that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, grow in our per- see, and when they listen, they cannot hear or understand. sonal understanding of the message of the Bible so that when So God’s promise came true, just as the prophet Isaiah had we look we can see and when we listen we understand. Overview Remembering the first people of the Sadducees.” Then the followers first century church, after the resurrec- understood that Jesus was not tion, leaving his followers still with telling them to beware of the yeast many questions and waiting, though he used in bread but to beware of the left them with instructions. teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. At that time and still today, we some- The suggestion to the apostles was that times forget that the intention is for us their misunderstanding was because to follow the instructions of Christ. they had not taken time to search, to Even the apostles were given instruc- tions to dig for the true meaning in everything… even in a reference to bread, as you will see in this passage at Matthew 16:5-12 that has a sub-topic “I was not in the NCV—Guard Against Wrong talking to Teachings: you about Jesus’ followers went across the lake, but they had forgotten to bread. Why bring bread. Jesus said to them, “Be careful! Beware of the yeast of understand the true meaning of the don’t you the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” message. His followers discussed the mean- We are still called to be good stewards understand ing of this, saying, “He said this of the information and instructions giv- because we forgot to bring bread.” en to us by Jesus Christ. As Disciples of that?” Knowing what they were talking Christ, we are to be obedient followers about, Jesus asked them, “Why are as we read and search the scriptures for you talking about not having the truth and direction that is written in bread? Your faith is small. Do “The Word” — The Bible you still not understand? Re- member the five loaves of bread that fed the five thousand? And The objective and goal of the 2015 Laity remember that you filled many Sunday curriculum is to give you bits baskets with the leftovers? Or the and bites of the truth we find in the seven loaves of bread that fed the scriptures. The hopeful intent is to four thousand and the many bas- make you “hungry” for more. That kets you filled then also? I was would be; more information, greater not talking to you about bread. understanding and more insight on ways Why don’t you understand that? to incorporate and design our lives to be I am telling you to beware of the true examples of the one we follow: yeast of the Pharisees and the Jesus Christ. 2 Laity Sunday Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Pa ge 3 Instructions: BitesBites fromfrom thethe BibleBible The laity of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are always in- But you are a chosen peo- volved in the functions of the church. ple, royal priests, a holy From teaching Sunday school to pre- nation, a people for God's paring a fellowship gathering, the lai- own possession. You were ty is generally involved. Laity Sunday, chosen to tell about the however, is a time when the lay peo- wonderful acts of God, ple of the church pause to consider who called you out of darkness into his wonder- their gifts and are intentional in offer- ful light.10 At one time you ing these gifts in worship and in other were not a people, but ways on this designated Sunday. As now you are God's people. Disciples of Christ, we proclaim that In the past you had never we are followers and strive to use the received mercy, but now examples and instructions that Christ you have received God's has provided for us. We can each, mercy. regardless of age, make our own 1 Peter 2:9-10 unique contributions to proclaim our So, how can The Priesthood of All positions as Christ’s followers on laity Believers be defined simply? Effec- Sunday and every day. Though we tively, each person, young and old, often lean on our Pastor (Shepherd) who understands that God is the You were chosen to be our spiritual leader, as the source of all things and that through to tell about the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter Christ we have a direct connection to wonderful acts of 2:9-10), we too can take time to pre- God. It is then, each person’s individ- God, who called pare and participate in the worship of ual responsibility to read and study you out of God. the Bible asking for God’s wisdom in darkness into his understanding as the stories, instruc- On occasion you may hear the Chris- wonderful light. tion, and examples unfold. It is each tian Church (Disciples of Christ) re- 1 Peter 2:9 person’s responsibility to identify the ferred to as “The Priesthood of all gifts given to them by God as they Believers.” This is a phrase that is work to glorify God in all they do. not likely to be found in the standard Support in each person’s study and dictionary, but it is important to un- personal spiritual growth can be en- derstand how it relates to being Disci- hanced through group study, commu- ple and a lay person. Consider this nity worship and praise, and other passage from 1 Peter 2:9-10: ways of service as Christ demonstrat- ed in His love of all people. It is im- portant to understand that each per- son has been given gifts that are to be used in one’s efforts to glorify God in all things. Hebrews 7:24-25 3 Options: AA VersionVersion RightRight forfor YouYou As you grow in your understanding of the Bible, it is good to look at different versions to find one or more that will help you understand the message. Some bibles are translated based on the meaning of each word and others are more of a paraphrase where the general concept of the passage is translated. It is important to know the difference, or to compare for understanding James 1 New Century Version (NCV) James 1 New Living Translation (NLT) 1 From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Greetings from James Christ. 1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord To all of God’s people who are scattered everywhere in Jesus Christ. the world: I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers Greetings. scattered abroad. Faith and Wisdom Greetings! 2 My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of Faith and Endurance troubles, you should be full of joy, 3 because you know 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. patience. 4 Let your patience show itself perfectly in what 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endur- you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will ance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your have everything you need.